House Joint Resolution 40 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Napoleon BracyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Recognizing certain occupations as professional careers and urging federal review of classification changes

Summary

HJR40 formally recognizes certain occupations as professional careers and urges the federal government to review and restore their status on the federal professional degree list.

What This Bill Does

The resolution formally recognizes nursing, physician assistants, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, social workers, public health professionals, educators, counselors, architects, accountants, and engineers as professional careers. It urges the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider its proposed narrowing of 'professional degree programs' and restore these fields to the federal professional degree list. It notes these professions require advanced degrees, supervised training, and state licensure, and are essential to Alabama’s health care, education, economy, and public safety. If adopted, copies of the resolution would be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of Education, the Alabama Congressional Delegation, and relevant federal and congressional committees.

Who It Affects

• Occupations listed (nursing, physician assistant, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, social work, public health, education, counseling, architecture, accounting, engineering) would receive formal recognition as professional careers by the state.
• Alabama residents and public systems relying on these professions (health care, education, public safety) could be affected by ongoing federal consideration of their degree classifications, potentially influencing credentialing and access to services.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: The State of Alabama formally recognizes the above-listed occupations as professional careers.
• Provision 2: The Legislature urges the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider its proposed reclassification and restore these professions to the federal professional degree list, with copies of the resolution transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of Education and Alabama's congressional delegation.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions